Hertz - IBM initiative on smart charging initiative for EVs

First publishedon www.ITSInternational.com

Hertz On Demand, the global car sharing club, and IBM are together piloting a programme in Germany to advance electric vehicle (EV) mobility and user adoption through intelligent recharging solutions. In a special agreement, Hertz On Demand in Germany will supply electric vehicles to the car share fleet used by IBM employees to drive between Stuttgart Airport and the company's campus in Ehningen, about 30 km away.

Initially the electric cars provided by Hertz will be charged using decentralised generation of electricity on the IBM campus. The charging stations will be operated with intelligent IBM software that optimises the usage of generated power by renewable energies. Moreover, the software balances demand and availability of electricity power to prevent load peaks.

The companies are using this programme as a field test to gauge acceptance and practicability of the electric vehicle and the intelligent recharging infrastructure usage. Upon success of the pilot programme, they intend to add further electric vehicles to the Ehningen campus, as well as to extend the project to other IBM sites.